Living a double life

It might be a little difficult being Jennifer Aniston these days, but Christie Leensvaart doesn't mind.

For the last two months, Leensvaart has been Aniston's stand-in on the set of "The Break Up," and while their brief conversations are rarely personal, she has nothing but praise for Aniston.

"She's down-to-earth," says Leensvaart, 25. "She makes a point of talking to people and interacting, and she always has a smile on her face. She just brings with her such a positive energy."

A stand-in serves as a body double for a star while crews set up a scene so actors don't have to remain on set. They don't need to be look-a-likes; it's more important for a stand-in to be of similar height, weight and skin tone.

That's why Leensvaart was also able to serve as a stand-in for Sandra Bullock on the set of the recently filmed "Il Mare." But it takes more than just having similar physical characteristics, Leensvaart said.

"I'm a great listener and I'm very attentive to detail," she said. "With a stand-in, you watch an actor walk through the scene once and that's it. I need to be able to do everything that [Jennifer] did in order to set for lighting."

Leensvaart, who will start a job as the athletic trainer at Niles West High School this fall, wants to pursue a career in acting at the same time. If she makes it, she knows it's because she's had good role models.

"I think the best thing about working with Vince [Vaughn] and Jennifer is they both have been very pleasant," Leensvaart said. "Always say hello, always say good morning, good night. They always say thank you. They've just been wonderful to work with. I couldn't have a better set of leading actors to work with."